In autumn, when the weather is suitable – not too windy and not too wet – the fuel reduction burn-offs and stubble burning starts across South Eastern New South Wales and North East Victoria. Many of these fires trigger the formation of clouds at the inversion layer if atmospheric conditions are right.
The colours of the forming cloud, including the characteristic smoke haze filtering the sunlight, and the stark contrast with the old dead ironbark tree caught my attention.
Garden Orb spiders (Eriophora transmarina) are very common garden spiders, especially around large trees at night when they come out to build their webs. Their scare-factor is high as the webs can span large distances across paths or between trees, easily walked into in twilight or the dark. The spider itself is not aggressive and not normally seen during the day. Continue reading Garden Orb Weaver
If you have lived in Australia for any length of time, especially south eastern country Australia, you would have most likely come across the egg sacks of the Bird Dropping Spider. The egg sacks are about the size of small marbles, and very strikingly marked.
We were fortunate enough to discover this nest on one of our Illawara Flame Trees (Brachychiton Acerifolium). Clinging close to the top of the egg cluster is the spider herself. With legs kept close to her body, and rather striking brown and white mottled and textured colouration, she does resemble a bird dropping after which she is named.
More information on this unusual spider can be found on Museum Victoria’s website, and the Australian Museum’s website.
